Heart disease almost always heralds more health problems down the road if not well-managed. So, identifying the issues at an early stage is of significance. An echocardiogram is a valuable tool for diagnosing heart conditions, such as heart damage and disease. It reveals important information about your heart, including its structure and functionality.
Let’s talk about the functional mechanism of an echocardiogram and where you can go around Irmo, SC, for diagnosing your heart conditions.
When is an Echocardiogram Required?
If you are experiencing cardiac symptoms, such as chest pain and/or tightness, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, breathlessness, and fatigue, pay a visit to your doctor. After reviewing your medical history, he or she may recommend an echocardiogram.
It is highly recommended to discuss your echocardiogram results with your referring physician, as it will help you understand your heart health and the treatment options for your condition.
How Is an Echocardiogram Performed?
The most commonly used echocardiogram test is a transthoracic echocardiogram, a noninvasive technique. The “echo” test converts high-frequency sound waves, like ultrasound generated by the hand-held device, to images of your heart. In other words, it is essentially an ultrasound of the heart.
How to Understand Echocardiogram Results?
If you glance through the echo test results, you will see a big picture result of the heart. In addition, you will see the normal ranges on the right.
An echocardiogram test results include the following information:
- The reason for the test
- Measurement of the upper and lower heart chambers and walls through linear or volume measurements.
- Heart muscle thickness
- Left and right ventricle function, such as the ejection fraction (EF), measures how well your heart pumps out blood with each beat. A normal EF is within the range of 50 to 70 percent.
- Description of the heart shape, valves, movement, and function
- Description of the heart lining, veins, and arteries
- Any abnormalities detected such as heart defects, blood clots, or masses
You’ll see the following acronyms/abbreviations that stand for:
- LVEF: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
- LVIDs: Left ventricular internal dimension
- LVEDV: Left ventricular end-diastolic volume
- LVESV: Left ventricular end-systolic volume
- RVIDd: Right ventricular internal dimension
- LA DIM: Left atrium diameter
- IVSd: Interventricular septal end diastole
- IVSs: Interventricular septal end-systole
- LVPWd and LVPWs: Left ventricular posterior wall end diastole and end-systole
- Ao Rtd: Aortic root diameter
- Asc Ao: Ascending aorta
- LVOT: Left ventricular outflow tract
- LV SV: Left ventricular stroke volume
Echocardiogram in Irmo, SC
If you are looking for a trusted facility in Irmo, SC, for your echo test, visit SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation.
SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation is an internal medicine practice offering a wide range of diagnostic imaging services, and our radiologists are well-trained and highly experienced. Our friendly staff will explain what to expect from your test and make sure you are comfortable during the procedure.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule your echo test, call our office today at (803) 749-1111 or use our online request form.
We look forward to helping you manage your heart health!
